People

04/03/2013

Note: The following post was written by Taylor W. Wells, Communications Director for On The Mark Strategies.

As we head into the last days of the NCAA college basketball tournament, millions of people across the country filled out brackets trying to predict which college basketball teams will advance to the championship game. Terms like Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, Final Four and the inevitable“Cinderella Story” team abound.

When filling out their brackets, people put a lot of thought into who they think had the best chance of winning. If the important aspects of your personal and business life had brackets, what might they say? In other words, if you had to pair off two events, situations, goals, etc., which wouldmove on and which would fall?

Think about the important things in your life, like your spouse, your children, your job, your social life. They all teem with stakes on the limited time we all have each day. How do you rank yours?

Finding this balance between work and personal is not as complicated as a bracket. Good planning and time management can help you avoid tricky situations, like choosing between a child’s softball game and working on reports till midnight. Other steps that can help you find this balance include:

Include downtime in your daily schedule. We often start our work days with a “to do” list, plotting the details of our time allotment. Do the same with your personal life and proactively include time for those important elements.

Work on your organization skills. You’ve probably heard people say “work harder, not smarter,” or “lift with your mind, not your back.” Both are good ideas. By delegating tasks, keeping up with obligations and managing your schedule realistically, you can help set a better blend between work and personal.

Remain flexible. In a world of pressing demands and deadlines, flexibility is key. Don’t allow yourself to get in a rut or too set in a particular schedule. Find ways to negotiate internally between work and personal duties. Being too rigid will only hurt both aspects of your life.

After many years of filling out March Madness brackets, about the only tried-and-true thing I’ve learned is that my prediction sheets are riddled full of holes by day two. But that’s half the fun of making brackets. The square-off between two teams, or two demands on your time, are equally difficult to predict. By applying a few simple steps like the ones above, however, we can get a step or two closer to that championship game status, at home and in the office.

03/06/2013

Note: The following post was written by Taylor Wells, Communications Director for On The Mark Strategies.

My daughter came home from elementary school one day, bursting with excitement and good news. Her class, it seems, was “caught doing good” and everyone received a special tag to hang from their backpacks and a Friday popcorn party. This is big news to an excited child and got me to thinking about the entire concept and how its basic lessons apply to our workplaces (or how they should).

In this case, her class was “caught” by another teacher walking in a straight and quiet line to the cafeteria. While this might not seem like much on the surface, parents can relate to its achievement, even more so for not just one child but a group of twenty.

In our workplaces, how often do we even recognize, let alone reward, good behavior? While people are obviously there for the paychecks they earn, a sense of personal responsibility and pride is also critical and taking time to comment on exceptional service, especially in front of peers, is huge.

Employee Recognition is Critical to Success

As managers, do you take time to observe employees not just for what they might do wrong, but when they do right? Looking for potential bad in people is not only cynical, it can set them (and your entire organization) up for failure. Keeping an eye out for outstanding service demands more of managers and also helps fuel office morale and consumer service excellence.

This isn’t to say that your staff should all walk in a straight line with their hands behind their backs to the break room. What it can mean is that when you spot someone say, going above and beyond to help satisfy a consumer’s needs, or taking time to help a fellow employee tackle a task, you recognize and reward it. While a backpack tag and popcorn might not do the trick for the average employee, there are plenty of ways to recognize and reward achievement, limited pretty much only by your office culture and creativity.

Take time to spot and comment on exceptional employee behavior, both to your consumers and to each other. Sometimes getting “caught doing good” is just the positive push staff needs to maintain a steady stream of positive consumer service experiences.

02/20/2013

“The ability, some might say the attempt, to multitask is a curse of sorts. While working on ten things at once may seem efficient, each of those things gets roughly 10 percent of our greatness while we’re doing it.” --John Jantsch, The Commitment Engine

How many balls are you juggling in the air at once? My guess is way too many. In fact, I think we sometimes wear multi-tasking as a badge of honor (when someone asks how things are going, we often reply with how busy we are).

There are several problems with multi-tasking (as Jantsch’s quote above notes):

We’re not fully centered on the tasks at hand

We get distracted easily

We work on getting the task done rather than doing the task well

We focus on the tasks rather than the people

Multi-tasking creeps into our personal and professional lives. The reality is multi-tasking is a trap. From a professional standpoint, multi-tasking leads to mistakes. From a personal perspective, multi-tasking leads to a lack of engagement with those around us.

Here are some tips to overcome the multi-tasking pitfall:

Set aside designated blocks of time where you only work on one particular project. For example, if I’m researching and preparing for a speech I’ll set aside certain hours where that’s all I do.

Turn off e-mail, Twitter and Facebook. Staying in touch and connected is important but it leads to distractions as well. Go “dark” and unplug for a few hours and see how much you can accomplish.

Make time for “nothing.” Why is that we have a need to fill every waking hour with something to do? It’s okay to have a lazy day every now and then. Getting mental rest like that will actually improve your performance.

01/16/2013

In the comings and goings of life, we hear a lot about missed opportunities. Tales of lost loves, aborted career moves and un-pursued dreams often top these musings. There is certainly value and much to learn from many of these stories. Earlier this month, however, I was blessed with a uniqueinsight into making the best out of unforeseen opportunities.

It was the end (or so I thought) of Christmas Break. I’d had a wonderful two weeks with my children, maxing out everything the season has to offer. Then the dreaded day came; time for back to school. It was a crazy Monday morning, with showers, breakfast, clothes laid out, and backpacks at theready. We loaded up, drove to school for drop-off and saw … nothing.

No children. No buses. No parents. Nothing. A feeling began to grow inside me that maybe daddy had the days mixed up. A quick check of the school calendar on the phone while paused in the barren parking lot confirmed suspicions. Daddy blew it. Monday was an in-service day for the teachers to get ready for the new semester. School actually started the next day.

I expected some ribbing from my children, maybe even a little sullenness at being made to wake up early for no good reason. What I got were three kids who treated it like a last-minute reprieve from the governor for a convicted criminal. Another day of freedom! Christmas Break lives!

This unforeseen opportunity was gifted to us from a combination of Providence and Daddy’s inability to read a simple calendar. And we made the most of it. Lunch together, time at the park, picking up a new hobby through the purchase of an awesome RC racing truck. We packed, essentially, another Christmas Break into that one special day that none of us expected but all of us cherished.

It’s all too easy to lament missed opportunities, whether those lost to us by fate or by our actions or inactions. But what do you do with the unexpected, the unforeseen? Do you max out their potential? Wring them dry of fun, laughter and love? Make the most out of the mystery? Because while we may never know why we are sometimes blessed with such moments in time, we can certainly make sure we don’t neglect the opportunity they provide.

It’s a New Year. There will undoubtedly be opportunities for us all. My hope for you is that you make the most of every one of them, whether you saw it coming from a mile away or it snuck up on you like an overlooked but always-remembered day on the calendar. Take the time to make the most andremember …

01/03/2013

Even the title of this entry doesn’t seem quite right. For
far too many people whose loves ones’ lives were cruelly taken in the Newtown,
Connecticut elementary school shootings last December, there may never be a
“post-event” world. Sometimes the scars of emotional trauma run too deep to
forget or move past. Sometimes we are forever caught in the moment of loss,
regret, pain or suffering that snares us. Such may be the case for the parents
and people of Newtown.

Much has already been written on this unspeakable horror and
undoubtedly much remains to be written, said and felt. My contribution will be
brief. Initially, I purposefully avoided
most of the news coverage of the horrific events of that day. Mainly because of
where I was when the news broke and the unthinkable details unfolded.

On that Friday, I was blessed enough to volunteer as a Watch
D.O.G. at my children’s elementary school. This is something I do with and
for my children several times every school year. While there are many goals of
the Watch D.O.G. program, one is specifically to provide a watchful male
presence in schools to possibly deter any acts of random violence. We also
interact with the children and spend time in classrooms with teachers and
administrators, getting a better feel for the amazing jobs they do for our
children.

On that fateful day, my phone buzzed with a news alert and
within minutes teachers and faculty had gathered around computers and
televisions to watch the news, careful to guard the children from seeing it. I
was shocked, numbed and yes, even a little frightened. How could this happen?
Why? And to, of all people, the youngest, smallest and most vulnerable of all?

I didn’t know what to think but I knew what to do. I found
my children and hugged them. Even my amazing son who is reaching that age where
hugs from dad, especially in front of friends, are falling out of favor. I
didn’t care. I hugged him, close and tight. Then I tracked down my daughters
and did the same. I did manage to hold back the tears, to protect them from the
news, but only barely.

As we start the New Year, my kids are getting plenty of
hugs. The hugs, talking and laughter all resonate more deeply. So every time
they’re making enough noise to shake the house foundation, I remember the
silence of a child’s bedroom in Newtown. Every time I catch myself about to say
“Daddy’s too busy right now,” I remember a parent paralyzed by silence in
Newtown. Every time I am about to gripe about a messy room or dirty laundry on
the floor or school library book late fees, I think about Newtown. I think
about Newtown and I pray. I pray for my children’s safety, for those
senselessly lost, for their parents, families and community. And I give thanks
that the evil wrought that day will not win, because faith, hope and love are
far more powerful and more lasting.

To Think Huge today and ring in the New Year, hug your
children. Hug them a little tighter and longer than you normally might. Catch
that moment in your arms; the sparkle in their eyes, the warmth of their skin,
the sounds of their sweet voices. Let it all take root in your heart and grow.
And pray for the parents who have lost and will forever mourn their precious
and innocent children. Hold your children. Snapshot that memory and tuck it
away someplace safe in your own heart.

May you have a blessed and prosperous New Year and never
lose sight of what really matters most.

12/27/2012

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s day celebrations are
just around the corner. Those are two of many events we revel in our country.
We celebrate lots of things: religious holidays, president’s birthdays,
national events, and a slew of other worthy events.

Yes, we celebrate lots of things. But
do we celebrate one of the most important—those around us?

Whether people admit it or not, their
birthday is a big deal. So as we move into the New Year, let’s make it one of
our goals to make others’ birthdays a big deal.

In other words, celebrate those around
you like it’s a national holiday.

Here are some thoughtful ways you can
bring joy to your family members, friends and co-workers:

Send flowers (okay, maybe not for guys)—Flowers
always brighten someone’s day. You don’t even have to order a fancy and
expensive arrangement. A simple run to most grocery stores will yield you a
nice yet inexpensive arrangement.

Take or give time off—If you’re the boss, give your
employees their birthday off (as a reward and not as a formal vacation day). If
you’re married, consider taking your spouses’ birthday off and spend the day
with them (my wife and I did that one year and had a blast playing all day).

Give a special card—People get lots of generic cards on
their birthdays (ones from their insurance agent, banker or grandparent).
Rather than sending a boring card, make yours unique. Take some extra time and
write them a personal letter about what they mean to you or how they’ve helped
you. Just make it personal.

Collect well wishes—Sometimes volume is important.
Several days before their birthday, collect well wishes from several people who
know the person you’re celebrating. Then put those comments into a binder or
folder so they can see everything at once.

Decorate—Whether it’s their office or home,
spend some time putting up streamers and signs. Decorations are a great visual
reminder about how unique that person is.

Serve—If there is one particular task you
know that individual hates, then do it for them on their birthday. One way to
serve a family member is to serve them breakfast in bed on their birthdays. We
have that tradition in our family—when it’s your birthday (no matter your age)
you always get breakfast in bed

Read—A classic Dr. Seuss book is The
Birthday Bird. Whether it’s a co-worker, child, family member or adult,
reading this book on someone’s birthday reinforces that they are unique and
special.

Of course, none of these celebrations are
possible unless you find out when someone’s birthday is. So one of your first
goals this year could be to start a birthday calendar for those around you.
Then celebrate them.

12/19/2012

I read a neat little article
in Fortune the other day that prompted a few thoughts on entrepreneurism,
taking risks and success.

The article focused on the story of three women responsible
for the “The Elf on the Shelf.” For
those of you unfamiliar with Elf on the Shelf, the story goes a little like
this:

Your family asks Santa Claus to send its very own personal
elf. The elf arrives from the North Pole with instructions on the elf’s proper
care and use. The elf needs a name first, and our family decided on “Zoey.”
Zoey, from a safe perch, watches the family every day, taking notes on
behavior. Then, every night after the family goes to bed, she uses elf magic to
fly back to the North Pole and report said behavior to Santa. Before the family
wakes up, she flies back to the house and finds a new (and sometimes unique)
place to land. This she does every day until Christmas, when she flies back to
the North Pole till next year.

Those are the highlights of how Elf on the Shelf works. The
inspirational story here comes from the ladies in the article. Despite great
odds, naysayers and trials, they stuck to their dream and made the concept come
to life. From relative obscurity a few short years ago to a giant balloon in
the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade today, the elf phenomenon continues to grow.

You probably face similar daunting challenges in your life
that seem opposed to the dreams that fuel your heart. People saying you can’t
do a certain thing. Anxiety about money, security and the future. Fear of the
unknown. The truth is, we all face these challenges, some more than others.

The trick is not in the challenges we face, but in how we
tackle and overcome them. The great writer Washington Irving once said “Little
minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune, but great minds rise above them.”

Don’t let your misfortune tame and subdue you. Rise above
them! It takes courage, tenacity and faith, but it can be done. As the creators
of the Elf on the Shelf would attest, success is often just around the corner
of our latest failure.

12/12/2012

Wow—December is almost complete. Didn’t we just
celebrate Thanksgiving? And now we only have a few days to complete our “To Do”
lists?

Before we knew it, many of us were racing to get the
ideal gift, wrapping presents, standing in line to mail things, baking holiday
treats and attending the traditional office party. Race, race race.

Maybe instead of racing we should slow
down and make December count. I’ll be honest: I’m not exactly the picture of
slowing down. I move at a way too fast pace (both personally and
professionally). But this month is an ideal time to slow down life.

How in the world can we slow down when
we have yearend projects at work to complete and a forever expanding list of
holiday errands to run? By making December count—both professionally and
personally.

Making December Count Professionally

Yes, you have assignments that need
completion by December 31. However, there are two things you can do in December
to help: postpone and praise.

Postpone—Are some of your work deadlines and
goals arbitrary? Would the assignment you’re spending hours on get better
results if you refocus your efforts at the first of the year? Sometimes you get
better long term results by simply rebooting.

Praise—December is the perfect time to tell
your colleagues how much you appreciate them. Don’t just give them the
obligatory Christmas card and holiday ham. Rather, take a few moments to write
them a personal note telling them how much you appreciate their hard work. That
could be the best gift they receive this year.

Making December Count Personally

Goodness knows your personal task list
this month is probably outrageous. However there are two things you can do in
December to help rest and reflect.

Rest—You are not getting enough sleep. How can you possibly maintain
holiday cheer when you are sleeping less than ever? Yes, things have to be
done. But does everything have to be
done? You might be a more sane (and enjoyable) person if you cut back on all
the activities and spent part of this month curled up on the couch watching a
holiday special.

Reflect—December is the perfect time to
review how you did with your personal goals. How did those weight-loss, money
saving, eating better, exercising more things go in 2012? Like most people, you
probably had a mixed bag of successes and failures. Analyze and see where you
can improve for 2013.

Don’t make December a sprint. Rather,
postpone, praise, rest and reflect.

12/05/2012

The great Zig Ziglar died
last week. While I didn’t personally know Zig, I heard him speak several
times and even had the opportunity to speak at the same event (he was the
keynoter and I a mere breakout presenter!). In many ways, he was a godfather
and guru in the speaking industry.

Whether you thought Zig was corny or inspirational, you
certainly can’t argue with his results. He spoke to millions of people,
authored 30 books, and produced hundreds of motivational and sales material. He
was a true icon.

From a personal perspective, I owe much to Zig. As a young
college graduate just starting my career I was struggling as a lowly marketing
coordinator. I was making mistake after mistake after mistake. I even spelled
the CEO’s name wrong in the company newsletter (that is a career ender!).

However, as part of my training program I took Zig’s “See
You at The Top” course. The tapes, workbooks and exercises profoundly impacted
me. His words (“I’ll see you—and I do mean you—at the top,”) still echo in my
head today. The material was not a “health and wealth” gospel but rather
offered ideas on how to succeed professionally and personally (even through
trials). When I completed Zig’s course, I thought I had it made. I was on the
way to the top.

But I was wrong. I still endured many professional
challenges. I eventually lost that job I was struggling with (had the choice of
being fired or transferred to another department). I spent several years in a
few jobs I hated. I took a pay cut to get back into marketing.

I was headed more towards the bottom than the top.

But again, Zig’s words echoed in my ear: I’ll see you—and I
do mean you—at the top. I listened to those tapes again. I reviewed the
workbook one more time.

As time passed, I learned many lessons in that new (and
lower paying) marketing job. A real mentor spent time and taught me valuable
lessons. I grew professionally. Eventually I accomplished a few things and had
some successes.

While I’m not necessarily “at the top” (do we ever get there
and do we ever really want to be there?) I do recognize that I am indeed
blessed. I have a loving and beautiful wife. I have amazing children. I am
living my dream career.

So thanks for the inspiration, Zig. In the good and bad
times your words reached me (and help me reach my goals).

11/14/2012

Several years ago John Grisham
wrote the book Skipping
Christmas. In it, the Kranks attempt to avoid the hustle and bustle of the holidays
by taking a cruise. The funny novel is a quick and humorous read.

While Grisham’s book is fiction, the sad reality is that too many
people today are actually skipping another holiday—Thanksgiving. Have you
noticed it? Christmas music is already playing. The stores are already covered
in holiday decorations. Commercials are already airing special promotions.

What actually happened to Thanksgiving? It seems like we’ve gone from
Halloween right into Christmas. Yes, it’s easy to skip Thanksgiving. So how can
we make sure we slow down and enjoy this all important holiday? Here are a few
suggestions:

Spend quality time with family—By
quality time I don’t just mean hanging out and watching TV. Actually drop the
electronic devices and play a board game.

Express thanks to your loved ones—One
thing we try and do at our home is have everyone go around the Thanksgiving
table and share one thing they are thankful for this year. It’s a good way to
put the “thanks” in Thanksgiving.

Volunteer somewhere—Whether
it’s a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter, there are plenty of places that
could use your time.

Run a turkey trot together—Lots
of cities have turkey trots. If you don’t live in one that does, then make up
your own family version of run around the block.

Slow down—One of
the best things you can do during the Thanksgiving week is to slow down. Rather
than start the holiday rush of Black Friday on Thursday night, try taking an
extra day or two during the week to slow down the pace of life.

The upcoming holidays are awesome. But let’s enjoy Thanksgiving first
rather than skip it.